There isn’t a boy but wants to grow
Manly and true at heart,
And every lad would like to know
The secrets we can impart.
He doesn’t want to slack or shirk-
Oh, haven’t you heard him plead?
He’ll follow a man at play or work
If only the man will lead.

Where are the men to lead today,
Sparing an hour or two,
Teaching the boy the game to play
Just as a man should do?
Village and slums are calling-“Come,
Here are the boys!” Indeed,
Who can tell what they might become
If only the man would lead.

Where are the men to lend a hand?
Echo it far and wide-
Men who will rise in every land,
Bridging the “Great Divide.”
Nation and flag and tongue unite
Joining each class and creed.
Here are the boys who would do right-
But where are the men to lead?

Prov. 2:1-6 My son, if you will receive my words and treasure my commandments within you, make your ear attentive to wisdom, Incline your heart to understanding;For if you cry for discernment, lift your voice for understanding; if you seek her as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will discern the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

We all know people we consider to be very intelligent. They have been able to accomplish much in their professional lives because of their sheer intellect. However, we look at their personal lives and are continually amazed by the wrong moral choices made. In biblical terms these people are “fools.” Why? Because they do not accept the words of God and in turn, apply them to their lives, neither professional nor personal.

We do not need to possess superior or even above average intellect to show great wisdom. We do, however, need to be committed to knowing, understanding and applying God’s word to our lives. If we can do these three things our children will see examples of lives marked by wisdom.

I read an article yesterday morning in the Focus on the Family magazine that broke my heart but at the same time was incredibly encouraging. It was the story of a man who lost his wife and four children in a flash flood. He tells the story of his daughter, who just a few months earlier had asked him to help her build a bird house. He struggled with what to do because his honey-do list was so long and he was really working hard on it. He decided that the most important thing to do at that moment was to put everything else aside and build a bird house. He said that during their time they had a great conversation and she told him why she wanted to home-school after spending her first year in public school, “because I like being with my family.” A few months later that family was gone but the memories he has of that morning and many other times that he decided to put other things off to spend time with his family will live with him forever. May we have the same wisdom to see things clearly and the strength to prioritize correctly.

We were at Schlotsky’s today and right after getting started with our meal David makes an announcement, “Mom, dad, when I say I love Jesus I don’t really feel like I love Jesus.” He followed this up with, “I know I’m supposed to love Jesus, but when I say it I don’t really fee like I do.” Wow, what beautiful honesty coming from the mouth of a 6 year old.

Renee and I immediately saw the opportunity to talk to David about what love is and the need for us to continue to pray that God would show David His incredible love for him and deepen David’s love for Jesus because of what He did on the cross for us and continues to do today.

Renee and I both believe that David is under conviction from the Lord. We are praying fervently that David will come to the truth soon and live a life glorifying to the Lord.